This year at South High School, the tardy-pass system has changed.

Many students have mixed opinions about the new process — some love it, some hate it. The updated system requires students who are late to class to wait in line to receive a printed paper pass before continuing. Under the new procedure, students must report to a tardy station to get their passes. Some say this slows them down even more.

“It’s inconvenient because it makes you more late to class,” junior Jocelyn Jimenez said. “Instead of going straight to class, you have to wait in a line full of people. On a scale of one to five on how stressed the system makes me, I give it a 10.”

Other students shared similar frustrations, saying the lines can be long and stressful. “The new system is so bad; I hate it,” junior Irma Peña said. “There are way more kids in the hallway now, and it takes a lot of time.”

Some students, however, admit the system has motivated them to get to class faster.

“It makes me want to go to class faster because I hate doing the tardy-pass process,” Jimenez said. Other students said they now “speed-walk” to class to avoid waiting in line. Most agree the system is easy to use overall, and they don’t experience problems with it.
Teachers and staff generally view the new system as an improvement.

Journalism teacher Deana Colón said she thinks “the system is great because it forces students to take tardies more seriously. There are a lot fewer students walking the halls, and I think it treats all students fairly.”

History teacher Jennifer Sudduth, who has been teaching for 15 years, agreed that the process is more manageable than before. “Back then, it was up to each individual teacher to track tardies on an Excel spreadsheet. This is much more consistent,” she said. Sudduth also noted that it makes enforcing consequences easier and reduces confusion about whether a student is absent or late.

Teachers have also noticed how the system has changed the flow of the classroom.

“It’s actually easier for me; I have fewer students coming in late, and when they do, I know exactly where they’ve been because they hand me the slip,” Colón said. For teachers, the slips provide a clear record that helps prevent attendance mistakes. Dean of Students Justin Potts added that the process allows teachers to focus on teaching rather than pausing class to update attendance.

Still, some staff members say the system could be improved. Sudduth suggested offering more incentives instead of relying only on punishment. Others pointed out that crowded hallways and long lines also affect students’ ability to get to class on time.

Potts, one of the main voices behind the change, said the goal is not to punish but to keep students accountable and in class. “We view this as an improvement from last year, but it’s only been a few weeks,” he said.

Beyond cutting down on tardies, Potts emphasized a bigger life lesson. “Teenagers don’t always appreciate the importance of punctuality, but when you get a job, it’s important to show up on time,” he said. “Part of teaching is educating students on why it matters and what message it sends when you’re late.”

He also stressed the importance of balancing consequences with recognition. “We’re trying to make sure we recognize those who do a good job,” Potts said. “This week we sent out an email to all students who had perfect attendance to reward them with a Positive Packer ticket.”

For now, the system is still new. Students and staff are adjusting. For some, it’s helpful; for others, it’s an obstacle. Love it or hate it, the paper slips probably aren’t going anywhere. For now, the best option is just to get to class on time.